Manchester burglaries net guns, computers and jewelry

MANCHESTER — Three stolen handguns are on the streets as a result of a surge of burglaries Thursday in which thieves also took computers, a television and jewelry.

The first of the four break-ins happened about 9 a.m. and the last one was reported at 10 p.m. They included one home that was broken into while the 65-year-old resident was asleep on his couch, police said Friday.

.They are among an alarming increase in burglaries this summer, not just in Manchester but statewide, which authorities largely blame on drug-addicted thieves seeking easy money to fuel their habits.

Manchester police will host a community meeting Sept. 5 to answer any questions members of the public may have about the rise in burglaries, home safety or any other concerns. It will be held at 6 p.m. at the Officer Michael Briggs Community Center/Manchester Police Athletic League at 409 Beech St. All are welcome.

Two .45 caliber pistols, ammunition, coins, and a tablet and a laptop computer were stolen from a 320 Manning St. home while the homeowner was at work during the day. He came home to find his rear basement door forced open and the items missing...Another gun — a 9 mm pistol — was stolen from a 405 Manchester St. apartment along with a laptop computer and television. The homeowner returned about 10 p.m. to find the items missing. There was no sign of forced entry...A 99 Dionne St. homeowner returned home about 4:30 p.m. after being out for several hours to find she had been burglarized. Thieves pushed in the first-floor window air conditioning unit and stole jewelry and her jewelry box...Burglars entered an unlocked 423 Amherst St. apartment between 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. and stole medications and cell phone from the coffee able while the resident slept on his couch nearby. They also took cash...This brings to 105 the total burglaries that occurred between Aug. 1-30, Lt. Maureen Tessier said. There were 84 burglaries during the same time last year.